Posts made by SeaYa

Thanks - this was the critical context:

G2: 10 tanks in Romania
G3: 6 tanks in Romania pay off $20 in damage
G4: start building tanks in Berlin to avoid paying $20 to repair factory

Traded border areas a couple times and then full on retreat to Moscow began leaving single inf to slow Germany down

On G5 Germany has massive stack of tanks and mechs and some infantry with a lot of bombers a couple spaces back with smaller army from Bryansk.

The value of infantry in lieu of bombers, wins out. Changing a battle calc from 30inf, 2 art, 2 tank, 2 fight, 1 tac, 8 bombers to 60 inf, 0 bomber, all else equal, boosts the %win from mid 65 to 97 when going against 5 inf, 15 mech, 20 tanks, no AAA (1st scenario drops to 37% with 2 AAA defending. I think this is why all the pushback. I agree, against a stalled out German attack (the trading border territories you mentioned) the bombers would indeed help manage dead zones for max German inf loss, preserving Soviet territory. However, advanced German players will rarely, if ever, have a stalled out attack, and will not be trading territories on the border for multiple rounds.

@dazedwit - to illustrate the feasibility, perhaps you could outline an example troop disposition from Poland to Russia over 5 or 6 rounds. For example, Turn 1 [Poland - Ger - #inf/#art, etc]…all the way to [Russia - Soviet - #inf/#bomb, etc]

This would illustrate the German attack, Soviet buildup, and eventual final battle that breaks the German assault.

I think what folks are struggling with is the lack of Soviet infantry on the field and how 8 bombers (6 avg hits on offense, less any AAA casualties) is making up for ~30 infantry. Are the T1 Soviet infantry all consolidated back into one mass, allowing for rapid German expansion and Soviet income loss? It seems an apt German player would carry an extra AAA or two with their leading column to mitigate the air threat, or simply surround Russia with deadzones and go for a mobility kill while the main column deploys to the Middle East or elsewhere as the rest of the game takes shape.

Appreciate the discussion.

“The True Glory” - an absolutely gripping tribute to the millions of people that pulled together to liberate Europe. From the poetic narration that leaves Shakespeare taking notes to the overwhelming examples of the various details, coordination, and logistics involved (the wire netting to reinforce the Normandy beaches after the landings… the wire netting!) this 1946 film rivals modern war dramas for its breadth, depth, and spirit to tell the story from the people who lived in the layers. Fun bonus: catch the map during the first few minutes and see which A&A version comes to mind!

Hidden Gem - a street level view in England of the mixed multitude of nations and organizations prepping for the invasion.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=axaLUySlSyA&pp=0gcJCZoBo7VqN5tD

@AndrewAAGamer - Your logic is also supported by the fact that bidding (hence some level of imbalance) is still involved, correct?

“Hiroshima” - This is one of the most unique cut togethers of historical photage with dubbed sound effects and vocals, acted scenes filmed to mirror the historcial film textures, and intermittant eye witness excerpts I’ve seen on this topic. The various formats are woven together to paint a contextual backdrop to the final months of the atomic bomb developmemt and it’s deployment.

Notable insights: Both US and Japanese political cabinets are depicted, establishing a personal connection behind the classic WW2 newsreals we’ve all seen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bYUPuZM5SMQ

@barnee - you’re not far off in reference to digital options.

Most, if not all on here started playing A&A on tabletops, then founded online forums and the developmemt of digital variants.

Most new players will come in one of two ways - current players expanding their pool of friends/family and introducing them to the game - or an app based mobile version hooking new players, connectimg them to online forums and subsequently revealing the tabletop world for them to explore.

That said, I always dreamed of an integration between a turn based strategy game and FPS being amazing, where in addition to dice rolls, players could opt to jump into a critical round of combat and bear arms (Medal of Honor/ Call of Duty style) or crew tanks, planes and ships (War Thunder style) in a 1-2 minute FPS mini-game match to affect the battle outcome. A balance of grand strategy and battle tactics. I would love to pilot a spitfire during a scramble against the standard G1 SZ attacks, or man a AAA gun in India, or captian a German sub to do convoy disruptions. Again, taking the most popular elements of current online / new generation players and seeding that into the A&A environment.

@barnee - Welcome! Will try to keep them varied on topics and balance movies vs. shorter historical segments.

Japanese Surrender - This is a series of restored photage of the Japanese surrender. With little commentary and multiple angles of overlapping photage, become immersed in the actual surrender ceremony, including the buildup and logistics.
Hidden gem: Find out why the Japanese initially refused to acknowledge the signed surrender terms.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pgI3A1USql8

@geoffrebman - Wow, this sparks so many questions and thoughts!

Would this be a purchased unit? Or an upgrade purchase to an existing base, such as any naval base? If purchased:
-Thoughts on cost?
-Is there a stacking limit? I could see having two or three of these in a territory being very devastating as they hit on 3.
-Fixed position? I would think so as a shore battery in a casement is not something picked up and moved, which leads to, captured or destroyed if enemy seizes territory?

All that brainstorming, perhaps a purchaseable token, that remains fixed, like a naval base, and can take damage like bases, say +2/-2. Meaning a pre-invasion air raid could knock ot out of action. Destroyed if territory captured. Single stack limit with same placement restrictions as a minor factory (as this could get out of hand quickly on places like Gibralter.) Cost feels like 12 if hitting on 3, but more likely to purchase if cost was 8, hitting on 2. Would want to simulate probability of hit and IPC damagr dealt to mirror value of AAA guns.

Also interested to hear others’ thoughts so as to add a historical dynamic to shore combat, but also not allow the “balance cat” out of the bag.

Double sub feature for the weekend:

“Operation Raspberry” - a very well done docudrama on how the Royal Navy, specifically a team of the Women’s Royal Navy Service, contributed to shifting tactics in the War of the Atlantic.
Notable insight: As this is a war boardgame community, was intriguing to see how an actual war game was constructed to simulate and prove ouy tactics, and train new officers.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KxTb-bVG1RY&pp=0gcJCZoBo7VqN5tD

“Close Quarters” - Join a Royal Navy submarine on patrol in the North Sea. Filmed during the war in 1943.
Hidden Gem: The film used actual su mariners for the filming, in which the balance between acting, and seeing their truer personalities come out ebbs and flows, giving some insight into how the men coped in their circumstamces.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8lKRZp4NDSo&pp=0gcJCYcKAYcqIYzv

“Berehnshtein” - Based on a true story, a glimpse into Soviet led partisan forces in occupied Ukraine and Poland that located some of Germany’s biggest war secrets.
Notable gems: The opening scene gives a harrowing view of what it may have been like to be on the receiving end of a “combined arms” blitz style attack.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MEhNB6TkKq4

@dazedwit

A few points to consider that US bombers vs. JPN destroyers is not really a risk for the US, as risk is a measure of likely loss vs. Likely reward.

1. Likelyhood of loss: Bombers attack on 4, destroyers defend on 2. In 1-on-1 encounters, JPN subs will be hit 2/3 times, while hitting on defense only 1/3 times. If the US vectors 2 bombers to 1 destroyer, this advantage tips more in US favor.

2. Direct cost: Assuming a 1:1 trade every attack, if the US is earning 50% more than JPN (ie: 75 vs 50 IPC) they can afford the trade, as bombers cost 50% more than destroyers ( 12 vs. 8 IPC).

3. Indirect cost / opportunity cost: Even with a worst case 1:1 trade, doing so preserves US subs (6 IPC each) AND allows the sub to do convoy disruptions (assume 2 IPC minimum). This makes an economic opportunity cost swing of (6+ IPC) x (# of US subs on station).

So, is a 1 US bomber per turn loss (worst case 12 IPC) that enables subs to max convoy SZ 6 and SZ 19, in addition to sinking a JPN destroyer every turn (>24IPC JPN loss per turn) still as risky as it looks on the surface?

As the 86th anniversary of Denmark being invaded by Germany approaches, here is a double feature of that opening and aftermath:

“April 9th” - Join a Danish bicycle platoon the days before and day of the invasion.
Notable gem: Captures the vital impact communications, or lack thereof plays in decision making within the fog of war.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V7t17Y7uPwE

“Land of Mine” - the oft forgotten aftermath of the war - the cleanup of 2.2 million mines laid on the Danish coast. A gritty view of the bonds of humanity fighting to heal against the wounds of war that tore them apart. A Danish officer supervises former German Army youth as they are used to clear mines on a section of beach.
Notable gem: Forgiveness.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sewmsP3biAc
English dub: https://m.ok.ru/video/2120526137883

Friends at BGN did a nice “How To” and the supply line sections covers many such scenarios - a nice visual walkthrough: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AAMObMRJBMA&pp=ygUOQmduIHN0YWxpbmdyYWQ%3D

“Battle of Savo Island” - a battle history episode focusing on the opening stages of the Guadalcanal campaign. The high quality battle analysis is supported by many works cited, worth reading on their own.

Notable insight: How contextual factors and battle mantra paradigms play as significant, if not more, of a role in decision making than force disposition alone.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lICRQPIduFc

@PGsquig - sure, that makes sense. Depending on a hard take (want to hold territory after capturing) vs. soft trade (only want to capture, assume lost next turn) it’s nice to see the confidence intervals around units left.

@PGsquig - An interesting multi-wave feature in the link you shared. While helpful for assessing initial attack units to be marshalled at the front, in practical play, it seems you would be re-assessing after the first roll of wave one anyway, and then completely re-assessing at the start of the next country’s turn/assualt.

Said another way, if the first assualt goes sideways for the attacker, I would hope one would not blindly commit to sending in wave 2, regardless of wave 1 outcome.

Said yet another way, how useful is a multi-wave calculator, vs. re-assessing each wave with a solid, single wave calculator?

@Corpsman_of_Krieg
Welcome aboard Corpsman!

A wealth of knowledgable folks, a volume of information, and a wonderful community of fellow players awaits!

Feel free to add your info to the player locator (https://www.axisandallies.org/forums/category/11/player-locator - specifically here:https://www.axisandallies.org/forums/topic/21466/2020-master-players-list-version-3-0/272 ) if you’re looking for local matches.

Why do the strategic bombers and interceptors only hit on a roll of 1 during SBR? Check out this period training film for some clues!

“Position Firing - B-17 Gunner Training”
A period training film that breaks down primarily waist gunnery.
Notable gem: The speed at which aim points change during a fighters approach - and keeping collected enough during combat to perform - well done air crews!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aoHOVUKOc0M&pp=0gcJCY4Bo7VqN5tD

Hi everyone,

Wanted to provide a spot for sharing some great WW2 content. Hope this can add some contextual flavor to the games we love to play, or at least provide some enjoyment to the community.

While we’ve likely all watched the classic or blockbuster renderings of WW2 (think all of the Memorial Day weekend marathon movies), lesser known gems offer nuanced views into niche aspects of the war.

Off the silver screen, the wealth of historical docudramas provide a looking glass into specific moments and actions, providing tactical learnings and preserving the memories of those who served us all.

Kicking things off with a double feature at sea!

“The Fighting Lady” - Come face to face with the crew of the USS Yorktown, and experience life on a carrier in WW2. Notable insight: crew would fully wash themselves before planned combat operations to reduce the risk of infection if wounded.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P1OmUKRdPVI&pp=0gcJCY4Bo7VqN5tD

“The Western Approaches” - filmed with actual members of the British merchant marine and auxillaries, join a convoy crossing the Atlantic. Notable insight: the briefing before setting sail provides a glimspe into the planning, support, and command structure needed. Think of that when you buy those transports for a shuck-shuck!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SYNICPKLJlA